Chennai
Chennai is one of the most entertaining and happening metro cities of India. The capital of Tamil Nadu formerly known as Madras has a rich cultural legacy and glorious historical heritage. The ancient history and architectural splendor of this city allures visitors from every knock and corner.
Location
Chennai is situated in the southeast Coromandel Coast of Tamil Nadu and placed at an approximate altitude of 6 meters above the sea level. The city of Chennai is located at a latitude of 13.04° N and at a longitude of 80.17° E. covering an area of almost 174 sq km. Chennai comprises of three districts; Chennai city, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram.
Places to see
Being the gateway of South India the capital city Chennai has a lot to offer to each of its visitors. One can find numerous travel attractions in Chennai starting from temples, museums, beaches, gardens, wildlife sanctuaries and a lot more. Mentioned below are a few notable landmarks of Chennai
Monuments of Chennai
Tamil Nadu has a glorious historical background which could still be found in its rich cultural heritage and monuments. A trip to Chennai facilitates the vacationers to take a journey of the ancient India and the experience is always enlightening and enchanting.
Thousand Lights Mosque: The Thousand Lights Mosque is a holy place for the Muslim devotees and is located on the Anna Salai Road of Chennai. This mosque has a religious significance and is famous for its historical background and architectural beauty.
Freemasons Hall: This building was constructed during 1923 and is a vibrant example of the tradition and culture of the inhabitants of the former city of Madras.
Government Museum: The Government Museum of Chennai is one of the oldest museums of India and is a popular tourist spot of the city. This museum was inaugurated long back during the Colonial rule which has a history behind its inception.
Fort St, George: This fort came into existence during 1640 AD and was constructed by the East India Company. It is situated on the banks of the Bay of Bengal and is considered to be the first British establishment in India. The fort speaks about the legacy of the bygone days and therefore, attracts tourists across the world.
War Memorial: The sight of the War Memorial silently reveals the past glory of India. This memorial was built in remembrance of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives while serving their nation.
Chennai Beaches
The beaches of Chennai are some of the major attractions of the city and known for their natural beauty and splendor.
Marina Beach: The most popular and one of the exotic beaches of Tamil Nadu is Marina Beach which stretches over a area of around 12km. Marina Beach is claimed to be one of the largest beach in India as well as in the world. The pleasant and picturesque beauty of the beach is hard to be found in any other beaches in India.
Elliot's Beach: Elliot’s beach is popular because of its clean environment and tranquil nature. The serenity of the sea shore attracts lot of visitors everyday who want to spend some time in solitude. Situated on the way to Marina Beach this beach is a perfect place for a long walk.
Covelong Beach: Covelong Beach is situated at a distance of 40 km from the city of Chennai. The vast sea shore and the silver sand are the major attraction for travel-buffs here.
Other Places of Interest
The capital city of Tamil Nadu hosts a number of other tourist attractions which could rarely be found in other parts of India. These places are sure to add some memorable moments in your life.
Mahabalipuram: Mahabalipuram is situated in the Kanchipuram district which was once upon a time the capital of the King Pallava. This ancient city is also famous for its historical monuments.
Crocodile Bank: Crocodile Bank is a sanctuary of reptiles which is situated 40 km away from Chennai. Romulus Whitaker and his group established this sanctuary in 1976 to preserve three special species of reptiles.
Pulicat: This small town located 60 km away from the Chennai, city is popular for its Dutch memorial park which was built in 17th century.
How to reach
Being one of the four metropolitan cities of India, Chennai is well connected with the rest of India by rail, road, air and sea.
By Air: Both domestic and international flights operate on a daily basis from Anna International Airport and Kamaraj Domestic Terminal. Both the airports are situated at a convenient place only a few kilometers away from Chennai central.
By Rail: This city is the headquarters of Southern railway which is an Indian Railway division. Therefore, Chennai is linked with other metros and states by express and super fast train. Chennai Central and Egmore are the two major railway stations of the city. Chennai Central links with the West and North India and the later one connects the city with Southern India. Electric train network has recently been introduced in Chennai which runs within the city.
By Road: The highway networks and smooth road connectivity links this city with all major places of India. Mofussil Bus Terminal is the recently inaugurated bus depot of Tamil Nadu which is considered to be the largest bus terminal in Asia. Most of the public bus services operate from this depot. Other than this many private transport carriers are also available in Chennai who offering a comfortable journey.
By Sea: The coast line of Chennai connects this city with the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal. The passenger transport is controlled by the Shipping Corporation of India and the Andaman and Nicobar Administration.
What to do
The lifestyle of Chennai is comparatively composed in contrast to the other metropolitan cities. However, it would not be a hyperbole if we term Chennai as an entertainment hub where you can enjoy a variety of activities to make your leisure satisfied.
Amusement Parks: Chennai is a host of numerous amusement parks which are located in and around the city. All of these parks are stuffed with modern equipments and facilities and they are undoubtedly the perfect destination for spending some time.
Discotheques: Nightlife is very vibrant in Tamil Nadu and Chennai holds no exception in it. Almost all the discotheques are located at convenient places and are full of glitz, glamour and sophistication.
Walk on the Sea Shore: The three major exotic beaches provide the opportunity to take the pleasure of a silent walk on the shore line with your family or friends. You will surely get thrilled when the sea water will kiss your feet.
Water Sports: Chennai is a heaven for water sport lovers. Numerous water sports are being played here starting from scuba diving to parasailing. Visitors can also enjoy fishing and boating there.
Take a Drive: A long drive in the evening on the coastal area is a mesmerizing experience for the tourists. The roads are generally neat and clean and one can enjoy the stunning scenic beauty on either sides of the road.
Chennai Cuisine: Traditional foods of Chennai are very delicious which include dosa, idli, sambar, rice etc. One should not miss the opportunity to taste these mouthwatering dishes while in Chennai.
Shopping: The city of Chennai is undoubtedly a shopper’s paradise. Shopping in Chennai means buying readymade cloths, traditional and contemporary artworks, ornaments and antique products, art and crafts etc. Stone carvings, silk sarees, brass and bronze products are also famous in this place.
Best time to visit
The capital city of Tamil Nadu is recommended for a visit during winters. Winter is never very cold in Chennai but the weather remains comfortable and pleasent for the tourists to take the real pleasure of a vacation. Though winter is the peak season for a trip to Chennai but plenty of rainfall keeps the weather moderate throughout the year, therefore; people also can visit this place anytime during the year.
History
Chennai earlier was known as Tondaimandalam. The present day Chennai city was developed has a small village which was chosen by the East India Company during 1639 as a site for fishing. Not only that, the city also received an urban look during the 17th century under the British regal rule. This city has been known as Madras since independence and it is one of the four significant metropolitan cities of India.
Climate
The capital of Tamilnadu, Chennai generally observes a hot and humid weather. The city is located at a tropical zone and majorly experiences three seasons’ summer, monsoon and winter.
Summer arrives in the month of March and this is the period when weather becomes typically hot. Summer observes an unbeatable temperature which sometime crosses 40° C. Monsoon appears in June which brings heavy shower with it. Because of the costal location, the city receives ample amount of rainfall all through the year which is around 1300 mm. Though winter is a short lived season in Chennai but the weather becomes very pleasant during this period. The minimum temperature recorded during winter is somewhere around 20° C.
Hence, Chennai is a city which is always worthy to be explored in your vacations.
